Course Requirements

Prerequisites

A grade of C or better in GEOG 2470 or GISC 1411 Introduction to GIS.

Minimum Technical Skills

Another requirement is that you have some basic computer technical skills. Please take a look at this Technical Skills Checklist prior to beginning the course: http://dl.austincc.edu/students/TechCheck.php. Related to item 10 on this checklist, setting up your ACC email account, please note that I will communicate with you through your ACC email account, Google Chat, and Blackboard Announcements for this course.

Computer Hardware Requirements

In addition to having high-speed internet access to download larger GIS data files, your computer should be set up with speakers, a microphone, and a camera for the purpose of playing lecture video content, taking proctored exams and video conferencing for help sessions. Use a pair of headphones or earbuds to prevent feedback when you are on calls.

Required Software

Your computer should be able to run ArcGIS Pro 3.2 or higher, the primary GIS software tool we will use for this course. Review the system requirements.

Download and install the correct version of ArcGIS Pro using these instructions.

You already have an ACC ArcGIS Online (AGOL) login from completing one or more introductory GIS courses at ACC. If you do not have or forgot your login credentials, please email the instructor.

Recommended Software

1. Google Chrome Browser with ColorZilla extension
2. Adobe Acrobat DC ($10/semester through ACC)
3. 7zip (FREE)
4. Notepad or Notepad++ (FREE)
5. Microsoft Office (FREE through ACC)

Required Textbook & Readings

Krygier, John and Denis Wood. Making Maps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS (3rd Edition). New York, NY: The Guilford Press. ISBN: 978-1462509980. Accompanying website: https://makingmaps.net/ 

Additional required readings as assigned are linked from the course website.

Recommended Text

Monmonier, Mark. 2018. How to Lie with Maps (3rd Edition). University of Chicago Press. ISBN: 9780226435923.

Mark the peer review, project, and test dates on your calendar.

* Quizzes are taken on the Tuesday following the week of the topic.

Course Level Outcomes

Cartography is an innovative blend of technical skill, a discerning eye, problem-solving, and listening skills. The class will build on your current mapping skill set regardless of your level of experience and complement the technical skills you are acquiring in other GIS classes.

You will learn cartographic concepts while working with ESRI’s ArcGIS Pro 2.x and other desktop and web-based software tools. By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Create and share maps with a defined purpose, target audience, and appropriate medium using industry-standard GIS software.
2. Demonstrate critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills through the process of giving and receiving peer review.
3. Select, transform, and document geospatial data.
4. Design thematic maps with appropriate generalization and use of color.
5. Symbolize features, surfaces, and text according to cartographic standards.
6. Assemble and present a portfolio that demonstrates mastery of course level outcomes.

Student Learning Outcomes

ACC GIS student learning outcomes are aligned with standards outlined by the Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM), the Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GTCM), and Secretary Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) Competencies:

1. WECM Student Learning Outcomes
   The Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) is a web-based inventory of current workforce education courses and outcomes published by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board  for Texas public two-year colleges. WECM courses are created and maintained by teams of instructional specialists from Texas college with expertise in the subject areas. By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
   1. Understand and apply fundamental cartographic design principles; 
   2. Define design objectives for map usability; 
   3. Understand principles of color theory and how they affect map symbolization and interpretation; 
   4. Choose appropriate symbols for point, line, and polygon features; 
   5. Understand the effect of scale on generalization and how to improve readability of map features; 
   6. Apply classification schemes for displaying data; 
   7. Create quality maps with advanced raster techniques; 
   8. Create balanced and informative layouts; and 
   9. Critique maps for improved design skills.
2. GTCM Student Learning Outcomes
   The Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GTCM) is an industry model framework published by the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to identify industry-specific technical competencies. By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
   1. Query spatial and attribute data by location and utilizing query languages;
   2. Implement a GIS project by collecting, creating, assimilating, analyzing, synthesizing, and presenting data and results that satisfy the project goal;
   3. Interpret user needs to generate GIS products with a defined purpose, target audience, and appropriate medium;
   4. Create data, maps, and reports with GIS-industry recognized data standards, cartographic conventions, and reporting methods; and
   5. Practice continuing GIS education utilizing formal instruction; academic, professional, and industry publications; software documentation; online resources; peer professionals; on-the-job experiences; and professional certifications.
3. SCANS Competencies
   The Secretary Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) is a commission appointed in 1990 by the Secretary of the US Department of Labor Lynn Martin to develop a list of skills "that high-performance workplaces require and that high-performance schools should produce." By the end of this course, the student will demonstrate the following workplace competencies and foundation skills:
   1. Workplace Competencies - Effective workers can productively use:
      1. Resources – They know how to allocate (C1) time, (C2) money, (C3), materials, and (C4) staff
      2. Information – They can (C5) acquire and evaluate data, (C6) organize and maintain files, (C7) interprets and communicate, and (C8) use computers to process information.
      3. Interpersonal skills – They can (C9) work on teams, (C10) teach others, (C11) serve customers, (C12) lead, (C13) negotiate, and (C14) work well with people from culturally diverse backgrounds,
      4. Systems – They (C15) understand social, organizational, and technological systems, (C16) they can monitor and correct performance; and (C17) they can design or improve systems.
      5. Technology – They can (C18) select equipment and tools, (C19) apply technology to specific tasks and (C20) maintain and troubleshoot equipment.
   2. Foundation Skills - Competent workers in the high-performance workplace need:
      1. Basic Skills – (F1) reading, (F2) writing, (F3) arithmetic and (F4) mathematics, (F5) listening and (F6) speaking.
      2. Thinking skills – (F7) to think creatively, (F8) to make decisions, (F9) to solve problems, (F10) to visualize, (F11) the ability to learn, and (F12) to reason.
      3. Personal Qualities – (F13) individual responsibility, (F14) self-esteem, (F15) sociability, (F16) self-management, and (F17) integrity.